FBI Raids, Gospel Renewal and Church Planting with Esteban Valenzuela

FBI Raids, Gospel Renewal and Church Planting with Esteban Valenzuela

Author: Mike Neglia June 17, 2025 Duration: 41:48

What does it look like when gospel renewal is forged through suffering and planted in the heart of a global city? In this conversation, Esteban Valenzuela, pastor of Raíces Madrid Evangelical Christian Church, shares his remarkable story of personal transformation, perseverance through false accusation, and the sovereign call of God that led him and his family to Madrid, Spain.

Mike Neglia and Esteban talk about the power of gospel renewal — not just as a theological concept, but as a lived reality. Esteban reminds us that the gospel is the cornerstone of Scripture and the Christian life, and warns against shallow repetition of gospel language without depth or clarity. They also discuss the challenges of church planting, how God works through weak sermons and weak preachers, and why having a clear message truly matters.


Join Mike Neglia and Brian Kelly at the upcoming CGN Ministry Conference June 22-25, 2025 

This conference is designed for church leaders and their ministry teams to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Dive deep into John 13–17, The Upper Room Discourse, with our main session speakers, and attend workshops led by experienced leaders in key areas such as Lead and Senior Pastors, Executive and Associate Pastors, Women in Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Worship, Small Groups and Care Leaders, Tech Teams, Administration, and Lay Leaders. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry worker, or volunteer, this event is for your whole team. Join us for an inspiring time of learning, fellowship, and renewed vision for the work God has called us to!



Register for our next in person training event 

August 22-23, 2025 

St Petersburg, Florida 

Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg

 https://expositorscollective.org/gatherings/



The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/


Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective


Donate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective


Mike Neglia hosts Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation, a space dedicated to the craft of clearly opening the Scriptures. Rather than offering abstract theory, this podcast grounds itself in the tangible realities faced by pastors and teachers every week. You'll hear genuine conversations that feel like pulling up a chair in a mentor's study, where experienced practitioners discuss the challenges and joys of preparing messages that faithfully explain the biblical text. Episodes often take the form of interviews or practical workshops, delving into the nuances of effective communication for diverse settings like church pulpits, youth groups, or women's ministries. The collective wisdom shared here is about more than just structure; it's about the spiritual discipline of listening to a passage before speaking on it, ensuring the sermon's heart beats in rhythm with the Bible's intent. Tuning into this podcast provides a form of ongoing coaching, a resource for anyone who wants their teaching to be both deeply rooted and readily understood. It’s for those who believe that the careful work of exposition is a profound act of service, and who are looking for a companion on that journey.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation
Podcast Episodes
Helping Others to Understand God's Word with Matt Pettit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:22
How can local churches train their people to study and apply God’s Word with confidence? In this episode of The Expositors Collective Podcast, Matt Pettit, executive pastor at White Fields Calvary in Alberta, Canada, joi…
Say Goodbye to Polished Platforms - Justin Thornton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:07
Justin Thornton packs a LOT of soul-stirring and heart-searching truth into this short and powerful message that he delivered in Indianapolis, Indiana back in October 2023. He speaks about the irreplaceability of a preac…
From the Page to the Pulpit with Wayne Baxter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
In this episode of the Expositors Collective Podcast, Mike Neglia speaks with Dr. Wayne Baxter, Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at Heritage College & Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario. With a Ph.D. in Early C…
The Preacher's Priorities: Study, Spirit, and Sustainability [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:54
This week we have a powerful and practical message from Tim Chaddick, Pastor for Preaching at Reality Ventura and a frequent speaker and mentor with Expositors Collective. Recorded live at a preacher training event in In…
The Art of Preaching - Dan Hamel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
In this episode of the Expositors Collective, Dan Hamel offers valuable insights into homiletics and the art of preaching. Recorded at The Creek, Indianapolis this discussion highlights Dan’s thoughtful approach to sermo…
Jesus, Homer and the Necessity of Mentoring the Next Generation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:07
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Expositors Collective Podcast, we feature a compelling message from Bryan Stupar on the vital role of mentorship in ministry and life. Drawing from his deep well of pastoral experi…
How to Be "At Your Best" While Preparing Sermons - Carey Nieuwhof [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:04
Should preachers use the humble "we" or the personalised "you" when speaking to their congregations? Should busy leaders take breakfast meetings? Should sermon preparation nourish the soul of the pastor? Carey Nieuwhof a…